RESUMO
Human exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may increase risk for chronic disease. Diet is a significant source of EDC exposure, yet healthy diets recommended for chronic disease prevention have not been thoroughly examined for associations with EDC exposure. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2016, we examined associations of dietary patterns with exposure to non-persistent EDCs potentially consumed through diet. EDCs were measured in spot urine samples. Diet was assessed using 24-h recalls. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine associations of three healthy diet scores [Healthy Eating Index (HEI), relative Mediterranean Diet (rMED), and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension] and fast-food consumption with EDCs. In fully adjusted models, no diet was associated with exposure to the bisphenols, phthalates, or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons examined. A 1-point increase in rMED (of 18 possible points) was associated with 2.7% (95% CI: 1.7%, 3.8%) greater urinary nitrate. A 10-point increase in HEI (of 100 possible points) was associated with 5.3% (95% CI: 2.8%, 7.9%) greater nitrate and 6.8% (95% CI: 4.5%, 9.2%) greater perchlorate. Because perchlorate and nitrate can disrupt thyroid hormone production, we conducted an exploratory analysis to examine whether these chemicals mediate an association between diet and thyroid hormones. A 10-point increase in HEI was associated with 0.6% reduced serum total thyroxine (95% CI: 1.7%, 0.5%) among all adults, with 57.5% of the effect explained by perchlorate. Nitrate mediated an association of rMED with modestly reduced total triiodothyronine among females. Most EDCs examined had no association with the diets evaluated, indicating that recommended healthy diets were not protective against EDC exposures. As observed with two thyroid antagonists, some recommended diets may increase EDC exposures and related adverse health outcomes. Additional work should identify effective food production and processing practices to reduce dietary exposures to potentially harmful EDCs.
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Disruptores Endócrinos , Adulto , Dieta , Feminino , Humanos , Nitratos , Inquéritos Nutricionais , Percloratos , Hormônios TireóideosRESUMO
States adopt minimum wages to improve workers' economic circumstances and well-being. Many studies, but not all, find evidence of health benefits from higher minimum wages. This study used a rigorous "triple difference" strategy to identify the associations between state minimum wages and adult obesity, body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)2), hypertension, diabetes, fair or poor health, and serious psychological distress. National Health Interview Survey data (United States, 2008-2015) on adults aged 25-64 years (n = 131,430) were linked to state policies to estimate the prevalence odds ratio or mean difference in these outcomes associated with a $1 increase in current and 2-year lagged minimum wage among less-educated adults overall and by sex, race/ethnicity, and age. In contrast to prior studies, there was no association between current minimum wage and health; however, 2-year lagged minimum wage was positively associated with the likelihood of obesity (prevalence odds ratio = 1.08, 95% confidence interval: 1.00, 1.16) and with elevated body mass index (mean difference = 0.27, 95% confidence interval: 0.04, 0.49). In subgroup models, current and 2-year lagged minimum wage were associated with a higher likelihood of obesity among male and non-White or Hispanic adults. The associations with hypertension also varied by sex and the timing of the exposure.
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Nível de Saúde , Salários e Benefícios/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiologia , Feminino , Inquéritos Epidemiológicos , Humanos , Hipertensão/epidemiologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Obesidade/epidemiologia , Prevalência , Fatores Sexuais , Governo Estadual , Estresse Psicológico/epidemiologia , Estados Unidos/epidemiologiaRESUMO
In the United States, 32% of beverages consumed by adults and 19% of beverages consumed by children in 2007 to 2010 contained low-calorie sweeteners (LCSs). Among all foods and beverages containing LCSs, beverages represent the largest proportion of LCS consumption worldwide. The term LCS includes the 6 high-intensity sweeteners currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and 2 additional high-intensity sweeteners for which the US Food and Drug Administration has issued no objection letters. Because of a lack of data on specific LCSs, this advisory does not distinguish among these LCSs. Furthermore, the advisory does not address foods sweetened with LCSs. This advisory reviews evidence from observational studies and clinical trials assessing the cardiometabolic outcomes of LCS beverages. It summarizes the positions of government agencies and other health organizations on LCS beverages and identifies research needs on the effects of LCS beverages on energy balance and cardiometabolic health. The use of LCS beverages may be an effective strategy to help control energy intake and promote weight loss. Nonetheless, there is a dearth of evidence on the potential adverse effects of LCS beverages relative to potential benefits. On the basis of the available evidence, the writing group concluded that, at this time, it is prudent to advise against prolonged consumption of LCS beverages by children. (Although water is the optimal beverage choice, children with diabetes mellitus who consume a balanced diet and closely monitor their blood glucose may be able to prevent excessive glucose excursions by substituting LCS beverages for sugar-sweetened beverages [SSBs] when needed.) For adults who are habitually high consumers of SSBs, the writing group concluded that LCS beverages may be a useful replacement strategy to reduce intake of SSBs. This approach may be particularly helpful for persons who are habituated to a sweet-tasting beverage and for whom water, at least initially, is an undesirable option. Encouragingly, self-reported consumption of both SSBs and LCS beverages has been declining in the United States, suggesting that it is feasible to reduce SSB intake without necessarily substituting LCS beverages for SSBs. Thus, the use of other alternatives to SSBs, with a focus on water (plain, carbonated, and unsweetened flavored), should be encouraged.
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Bebidas , Ingestão de Energia , Valor Nutritivo , Recomendações Nutricionais , Edulcorantes , Adolescente , Adulto , Fatores Etários , American Heart Association , Animais , Bebidas/efeitos adversos , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Dieta Saudável , Feminino , Preferências Alimentares , Hábitos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estado Nutricional , Formulação de Políticas , Recomendações Nutricionais/legislação & jurisprudência , Medição de Risco , Edulcorantes/efeitos adversos , Fatores de Tempo , Estados Unidos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To examine the impacts of Seattle's minimum wage ordinance on food prices by food processing category. DESIGN: Supermarket food prices were collected for 106 items using a University of Washington Center for Public Health Nutrition market basket at affected and unaffected supermarket chain stores at three times: March 2015 (1-month pre-policy enactment), May 2015 (1-month post-policy enactment) and May 2016 (1-year post-policy enactment). Food items were categorized into four food processing groups, from minimally to ultra-processed. Data were analysed across time using a multilevel, linear difference-in-differences model at the store and price level stratified by level of food processing. SETTING: Six large supermarket chain stores located in Seattle ('intervention') affected by the policy and six same-chain but unaffected stores in King County ('control'), Washington, USA. SUBJECTS: One hundred and six food and beverage items. RESULTS: The largest change in average price by food item was +$US 0·53 for 'processed foods' in King County between 1-month post-policy and 1-year post-policy enactment (P < 0·01). The smallest change was $US 0·00 for 'unprocessed or minimally processed foods' in Seattle between 1-month post-policy and 1-year post-policy enactment (P = 0·94). No significant changes in averaged chain prices were observed across food processing level strata in Seattle v. King County stores at 1-month or 1-year post-policy enactment. CONCLUSIONS: Supermarket food prices do not appear to be differentially impacted by Seattle's minimum wage ordinance by level of the food's processing. These results suggest that the early implementation of a city-level minimum wage policy does not alter supermarket food prices by level of food processing.
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Comércio/estatística & dados numéricos , Manipulação de Alimentos/economia , Abastecimento de Alimentos/economia , Salários e Benefícios/legislação & jurisprudência , Cidades , Humanos , WashingtonRESUMO
Objectives Breastfeeding promotion is increasingly recognized as a key public health strategy. Policies can promote breastfeeding by creating supportive environments and addressing challenges. In 2014, the Washington State legislature considered bills to create a voluntary recognition system for breastfeeding-friendly hospitals, clinics, worksites and childcare settings. These Breastfeeding-Friendly Washington (BFW) bills (SB 6298 and HB 2329) did not pass. Methods The purpose of this case study was to analyze the policy development process for the BFW bills using the Advocacy Coalition Framework. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in the state policy process, and document review. We used thematic analysis to identify deductive and inductive themes. Results Though all policy actors indicated general support for breastfeeding, two main coalitions (proponents and opponents) diverged in their support of the BFW bills as policy solutions to address barriers to breastfeeding. We conducted 29 interviews with mainly bill proponents, and 54 documents confirmed data about bill opponents. Proponents supported the bills given increasingly strong evidence of breastfeeding's benefits and that public policy could address environmental challenges to breastfeeding. Opponents saw the bills as government overreach into the private matter of choosing to breastfeed. Opposition to the bills came late in the session, and proponents felt opponents' messaging misconstrued the intent of the legislation. Conclusions for Practice Key learnings for developing breastfeeding-friendly state policies include analyzing differences between proponents' and opponents' beliefs, framing advocacy messages beyond individuals and health, expanding the coalition outside of traditional health entities, and anticipating the opposition.
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Aleitamento Materno/tendências , Política de Saúde/tendências , Promoção da Saúde/métodos , Formulação de Políticas , Adulto , Feminino , Promoção da Saúde/tendências , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Gravidez , Saúde Pública/métodos , Pesquisa Qualitativa , WashingtonRESUMO
Objectives Supportive organizational breastfeeding policies can establish enabling environments for breastfeeding. In this qualitative study we identify facilitators and barriers to the development, adoption, and implementation of supportive breastfeeding policies and practices in four influential sectors for breastfeeding women: hospitals, clinics, early care and education settings, and worksites. Methods We interviewed 125 individuals representing 110 organizations in Washington State about their breastfeeding policy development and implementation process between August 2014 and February 2015. Greenhalgh's diffusion of innovations framework guided the interviews and qualitative analysis. Results Breastfeeding policy facilitators across the sectors include national and state laws and regulations, performance tracking requirements, and an increasingly supportive sociopolitical climate; barriers include limited resources and appreciation about the need for breastfeeding policies, and certain organizational characteristics such as workforce age. Despite broad support for breastfeeding, organizations differed on perceptions about the usefulness of written breastfeeding policies. Personal breastfeeding experiences of policy makers and staff affect organizational breastfeeding policies and practices. Conclusions for Practice Supportive organizational systems and environments are built through effective policy development processes; public health can support breastfeeding policy development and assure a coordinated continuum of care by leveraging federal health care policy requirements, building networks to support training and collaboration, and disseminating strategies that reflect the personal nature of breastfeeding.
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Pessoal Administrativo , Aleitamento Materno , Promoção da Saúde/métodos , Política Organizacional , Formulação de Políticas , Humanos , Entrevistas como Assunto , Cuidado Pós-Natal , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Apoio Social , Washington , Local de TrabalhoRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Little attention has been given to how researchers can best provide evidence to policy makers so that it informs policy making. The objectives of this study were to increase understanding about the current state of public health nutrition and obesity researcher practices, beliefs, barriers, and facilitators to communicating and engaging with policy makers, and to identify best practices and suggest improvements. METHODS: Eighteen semistructured interviews were conducted from 2011 to 2013 with public health nutrition and obesity researchers who were highly involved in communicating research to policy makers. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed to identify common themes. RESULTS: Study participants described wide variation in practices for communicating and engaging with policy makers and had mixed beliefs about whether and when researchers should engage. Besides a lack of formal policy communication training, barriers noted were promotion and tenure processes and a professional culture that does not value communicating and engaging with policy makers. Study participants cited facilitators to engaging with policy makers as ranging from the individual level (eg, desire to make a difference, relationships with collaborators) to the institutional level (eg, training/mentorship support, institutional recognition). Other facilitators identified were research- and funding-driven. Promising strategies suggested to improve policy engagement were more formal training, better use of intermediaries, and learning how to cultivate relationships with policy makers. CONCLUSION: Study findings provide insights into the challenges that will need to be overcome and the strategies that might be tried to improve communication and engagement between public health researchers and policy makers.
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Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Comunicação Interdisciplinar , Formulação de Políticas , Saúde Pública , Pesquisadores/psicologia , Pessoal Administrativo/organização & administração , Pessoal Administrativo/psicologia , Benchmarking , Prática Clínica Baseada em Evidências , Distribuidores Automáticos de Alimentos , Política de Saúde , Pesquisa sobre Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Capacitação em Serviço , Relações Interprofissionais , Entrevistas como Assunto , Mentores , Ciências da Nutrição , Obesidade , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Apoio à Pesquisa como Assunto , Desenvolvimento de Pessoal , Inquéritos e Questionários , Estados UnidosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: In 2011, San Francisco passed the first citywide ordinance to improve the nutritional standards of children's meals sold at restaurants by preventing the giving away of free toys or other incentives with meals unless nutritional criteria were met. This study examined the impact of the Healthy Food Incentives Ordinance at ordinance-affected restaurants on restaurant response (eg, toy-distribution practices, change in children's menus), and the energy and nutrient content of all orders and children's-meal-only orders purchased for children aged 0 through 12 years. METHODS: Restaurant responses were examined from January 2010 through March 2012. Parent-caregiver/child dyads (n = 762) who were restaurant customers were surveyed at 2 points before and 1 seasonally matched point after ordinance enactment at Chain A and B restaurants (n = 30) in 2011 and 2012. RESULTS: Both restaurant chains responded to the ordinance by selling toys separately from children's meals, but neither changed their menus to meet ordinance-specified nutrition criteria. Among children for whom children's meals were purchased, significant decreases in kilocalories, sodium, and fat per order were likely due to changes in children's side dishes and beverages at Chain A. CONCLUSION: Although the changes at Chain A did not appear to be directly in response to the ordinance, the transition to a more healthful beverage and default side dish was consistent with the intent of the ordinance. Study results underscore the importance of policy wording, support the concept that more healthful defaults may be a powerful approach for improving dietary intake, and suggest that public policies may contribute to positive restaurant changes.
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Serviços de Alimentação/economia , Alimentos/economia , Legislação sobre Alimentos , Jogos e Brinquedos , Restaurantes/legislação & jurisprudência , Índice de Massa Corporal , Calorimetria , Cuidadores , Criança , Fenômenos Fisiológicos da Nutrição Infantil , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Doações , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Motivação , Relações Pais-Filho , Pais , São Francisco , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosAssuntos
Doenças Cardiovasculares/prevenção & controle , Governo , Planejamento em Saúde/organização & administração , Política de Saúde/legislação & jurisprudência , Promoção da Saúde/organização & administração , Feminino , Coalizão em Cuidados de Saúde/organização & administração , Humanos , Masculino , Inovação Organizacional , Formulação de Políticas , Desenvolvimento de Programas , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , Estados UnidosRESUMO
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to alter US household food consumption and food spending. Although terminology used to describe food insecurity has varied during the COVID-19 pandemic, many reliable estimates illustrate a dramatic increase in food insecurity from approximately 10% of US households before the pandemic to 25%-30% of households during the pandemic, with an even higher prevalence reported by more vulnerable and socially disadvantaged populations. To address the increase in food and economic insecurity, food and nutrition assistance policies and programs made innovative and temporary changes, and enrollment in these programs generally increased. However, some changes to food, nutrition, and income assistance programs are now expiring or contracting even as food insecurity prevalence is again on the rise and elevated food and nutrition assistance needs are expected to persist based on historical patterns. American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) practitioners can play an important role in identifying clients at elevated risk of food insecurity-related acute and chronic conditions and connecting high-risk clients to resources. ASPEN practitioners can contribute to the evidence base linking food insecurity and nutrition outcomes. ASPEN practitioners can also advocate for addressing the root social and structural determinants of food insecurity and for the continuation of effective food and nutrition policy changes and innovations.
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COVID-19 , Humanos , Estados Unidos , Pandemias , Abastecimento de Alimentos , Renda , Segurança AlimentarRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: We assessed and examined relationships between the health and working conditions of early care and education workers. METHODS: We surveyed early care and education workers ( n = 2242) about their socioeconomic characteristics; work organization; psychosocial, physical, and ergonomic exposures; coping behaviors; and health. RESULTS: Nearly half of respondents reported chronic health conditions. Most worked full time, half earned less than $30,000 a year, and many reported unpaid hours or inability to take breaks. One-quarter reported economic strain. Numerous exposures were prevalent. Workers' general health was poorer than normed averages, although their physical functioning was slightly better. Sixteen percent of workers reported work-related injuries, and 43% reported depressive symptoms. Factors associated with health included socioeconomic characteristics, having a chronic condition, job type, access to benefits, eight psychosocial stressors, four physical exposures, sleep, and alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the need for attention to this workforce's health.
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Emprego , Sono , Humanos , Fatores SocioeconômicosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: To date, research evaluating the association between minimum wage and health has been heterogenous and varies based on the specific subpopulation or health outcomes under evaluation while associations across racial, ethnic, and gender identities have been understudied. METHODS: A triple difference-in-differences strategy using modified Poisson regression was used to evaluate the associations between minimum wage and obesity, hypertension, fair or poor general health, and moderate psychological distress in 25-64-year-old adults with a high school education/GED or less. Data from the 1999-2017 Panel Study of Income Dynamics was linked to state policies and characteristics to estimate the risk ratio (RR) associated with a $1 increase in current and 2-year lagged state minimum wages overall and by race, ethnicity, and gender (non-Hispanic or non-Latino (NH) White men, NH White women, Black, indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC) men, and BIPOC women) adjusting for individual and state-level confounding. RESULTS: No associations between minimum wage and health were observed overall. Among NH White men 2-year lagged minimum wage was associated with reduced risk of obesity (RR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.67, 0.99). Among NH White women, current minimum wage was associated lower risk of moderate psychological distress (RR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.54, 1.00) while 2-year lagged minimum wage was associated with higher obesity risk (RR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.12, 1.64) and lower risk of moderate psychological distress (RR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.56, 1.00). Among BIPOC women, current minimum wage was associated with higher risk of fair or poor health (RR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.40). No associations were observed among BIPOC men. CONCLUSION: While no associations were observed overall, heterogeneous associations between minimum wage, obesity, and psychological distress by racial, ethnic, and gender strata warrant further study and have implications for health equity research.
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Renda , Obesidade , Masculino , Adulto , Humanos , Feminino , Estados Unidos/epidemiologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fatores Sexuais , Escolaridade , Obesidade/epidemiologia , Salários e BenefíciosRESUMO
Early care and education (ECE) workers experience many job-related stressors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ECE programs either closed or remained open while workers faced additional demands. We deployed a survey of the center-based ECE workforce in Washington State (United States) one year into the COVID-19 pandemic to assess impacts and workers' perceived stress levels. We describe the prevalence of reported impacts, including workplace closures; job changes; COVID-19 transmission; risk factors for severe COVID-19; the use of social distancing practices; satisfaction with workplace responses; perceptions of worker roles, respect, and influence; and food and financial insecurity. Themes from open-ended responses illustrate how workers' jobs changed and the stressors that workers experienced as a result. Fifty-seven percent of ECE workers reported moderate or high levels of stress. In a regression model assessing unique contributions to stress, work changes that negatively impacted home life contributed most to stress. Feeling respected for one's work and feeling positive about one's role as an "essential worker" contributed to lower levels of stress. Experiencing financial insecurity, caring for school-aged children or children of multiple ages, being younger, and being born in the United States also contributed to higher stress. Findings can inform policies designed to support the workforce.
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COVID-19 , COVID-19/epidemiologia , Criança , Humanos , Pandemias , SARS-CoV-2 , Estresse Psicológico/epidemiologia , Estados Unidos/epidemiologia , Local de TrabalhoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Washington State's Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WA WIC) adopted federal waivers to transition to remote service delivery for certification and education appointments. WA WIC also expanded the approved food list without using federal waivers, adding more than 600 new items to offset challenges participants experienced accessing foods in stores. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the reach and effectiveness of the programmatic changes instituted by WA WIC during the COVID-19 pandemic; the processes, facilitators, and challenges involved in their implementation; and considerations for their continuation in the future. DESIGN: A mixed-methods design, guided by the RE-AIM framework, including virtual, semi-structured focus groups and interviews with WA WIC staff and participants, and quantitative programmatic data from WIC agencies across the state. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: This study included data from 52 state and local WIC staff and 40 WIC participants across the state of Washington and from various WA WIC programmatic records (2017-2021). The research team collected data and conducted analyses between January 2021 and August 2021. ANALYSIS: An inductive thematic analysis approach with Dedoose software was used to code qualitative data, generate themes, and interpret qualitative data. Descriptive statistics were calculated for quantitative programmatic data, including total participant count, percent increase and decrease in participation, percent of food benefits redeemed monthly, and appointment completion rates. RESULTS: All WA WIC participants (n = 125,279 in May 2020) experienced the programmatic changes. Participation increased by 2% from March to December 2020 after WA WIC adopted programmatic changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Certification and nutrition education completion rates increased by 5% and 18% in a comparison of June 2019 with June 2020. Food benefit redemption also increased immediately after the food list was expanded in April 2020. Staff and participants were highly satisfied with remote service delivery, predominantly via the phone, and participants appreciated the expanded food options. Staff and participants want a remote service option to continue and suggested various changes to improve service quality. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in WIC and appointment completion rates increased after WA WIC implemented service changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff and participants were highly satisfied with remote services, and both desire a continued hybrid model of remote and in-person WIC appointments. Some of the suggested changes to WIC, especially the continuation of remote services, would require federal policy change, and others could be implemented under existing federal regulations.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Assistência Alimentar , Lactente , Criança , Humanos , Feminino , Pobreza , Washington , PandemiasAssuntos
Redes Comunitárias , Promoção da Saúde/métodos , Pesquisa sobre Serviços de Saúde , Política Nutricional , Obesidade/prevenção & controle , Fortalecimento Institucional , Comportamento Cooperativo , Prática Clínica Baseada em Evidências/economia , Prática Clínica Baseada em Evidências/métodos , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Política de Saúde , Disparidades nos Níveis de Saúde , Humanos , Disseminação de Informação , Relações Interinstitucionais , Estado Nutricional , Formulação de Políticas , Saúde Pública/métodos , Pesquisadores , Desenvolvimento de PessoalRESUMO
Along the U.S. West Coast, sustainable management has rebuilt fish stocks, providing an opportunity to supply nutrient-rich food to adjacent coastal communities where food insecurity and diet-based diseases are common. However, the market has not successfully supplied locally sourced seafood to nutritionally vulnerable people. Rather, a few organizations make this connection on a limited scale. We used a "positive deviant" approach to learn how these organizations' efforts developed, how they overcame challenges, and what conditions enabled their interventions. We found that organizations in these positive deviant cases provided fish from a wide variety of species and sources, and distributed them through different channels to a diversity of end consumers. A key factor facilitating success was the ability to negotiate a price point that was both profitable and reasonable for organizations supplying nutritionally vulnerable or low-income consumers. Further-more, securing access to grants overcame initial costs of establishing new supply channels. All cases highlighted the importance of individual champions who encouraged development and cultural connections between the initiative and the nearby community. Organizations overcame key challenges by establishing regulations governing these new channels and either using partnerships or vertically integrating to reduce costs associated with processing and transport. Oftentimes training and education were also critical to instruct workers on how to process unfamiliar fish and to increase consumer awareness of local fish and how to prepare them. These lessons illuminate pathways to improve the contribution of local seafood to the healthy food system.
RESUMO
National health authorities uniformly express an urgent need for large-scale policies that incorporate population-based strategies to improve diet-related population health outcomes. On October 30, 2013, Washington State passed the first statewide comprehensive policy on food service guidelines (i.e., Executive Order 13-06: "Improving the Health and Productivity of State Employees and Access to Healthy Foods in State Facilities") aimed at improving diet-related health outcomes and estimated to impact 73,000 individuals. The aim of this study was to examine the facilitators and constraints to the development and passage of Executive Order 13-06 to inform future food service guideline development and passage in other agencies, states, and municipalities. We conducted 17 semi-structured telephone interviews with key stakeholders involved in the development and/or passage of Executive Order 13-06. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using the Advocacy Coalition Framework. Interviewees were from local and state public health departments, Washington State government, public agencies, academia, advocacy coalitions, and national organizations. Two main coalitions (proponents and opponents) diverged in their support of the passage of Executive Order 13-06. Proponents supported it given its potential to increase access to healthy food and beverage options. Opponents felt that it was not feasible to meet food service guidelines without affecting sales and profit. Study findings highlight the importance of early engagement with stakeholders most impacted by proposed food service guidelines, using existing guidelines rather than developing new guidelines, and creating a workgroup to discuss the feasibility of food service guideline implementation and compliance.
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Defesa do Consumidor/legislação & jurisprudência , Serviços de Alimentação/legislação & jurisprudência , Promoção da Saúde/métodos , Política Nutricional/legislação & jurisprudência , Local de Trabalho/normas , Cultura , Dieta/métodos , Política de Saúde/legislação & jurisprudência , Humanos , Avaliação de Resultados em Cuidados de Saúde , Formulação de Políticas , Saúde Pública/legislação & jurisprudência , Governo Estadual , Washington/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Objective: To examine the effects of increasing minimum wage on supermarket food prices in Seattle over 2 years of policy implementation, overall and differentially across food quality metrics. Methods: Prices for the UW Center for Public Health Nutrition (CPHN) market basket of 106 foods were obtained for 6 large supermarket chain stores in Seattle ("intervention") and for the same chain stores in King County ("control") at four time points: 1-month pre- (March 2015), 1-month post- (May 2015), 1-year post- (May 2016), and 2-years post-policy implementation (May 2017). Prices for all food items were standardized and converted to price per 100 kcal. Food quality metrics were used to explore potential differential price increases by (a) food groups, as defined by US Department of Agriculture; (b) NOVA food processing categories, and (c) nutrient density quartiles, based on the Nutrient Rich Foods Index 9.3. Separate difference-in-differences linear regression models with robust standard errors, examined price differences per 100 kcal overall, clustered by store chain, and stratified by each food quality metric. Results: There were no overall market basket price changes attributable to Seattle's minimum wage policy. Moreover, no minimum wage effect was detected by USDA food group, food processing, or nutrient density categories. Conclusions: Local area supermarket food prices were not impacted by Seattle's minimum wage policy 2 years into policy implementation and after the first increase to $15/h overall or by sub-classification. Low-income workers may be able to afford higher quality diets if wages increase yet supermarket prices stay the same.
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Comércio/economia , Custos e Análise de Custo/economia , Qualidade dos Alimentos , Abastecimento de Alimentos/economia , Pobreza/economia , Salários e Benefícios/economia , Adulto , Cidades/estatística & dados numéricos , Comércio/estatística & dados numéricos , Custos e Análise de Custo/estatística & dados numéricos , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pobreza/estatística & dados numéricos , Salários e Benefícios/estatística & dados numéricos , WashingtonRESUMO
Although studies have demonstrated an association between increased economic resources and improvements in food security and health, there is a paucity of qualitative research regarding the relationships between household resources, food security, and health. Policy changes related to increasing low wages are potential opportunities to understand changes to material resources. The aims of this analysis were to describe how low-wage workers perceive household resources in relation to food acquisition and to explore how workers in low-wage jobs connect food and diet to perceptions of health and well-being. We analyzed 190 transcripts from 55 workers in low-wage jobs who were living in households with children who were part of the Seattle Minimum Wage Study (up to three in-depth qualitative interviews and one phone survey per participant, conducted between 2015 and 2017). We coded and analyzed interviews using Campbell's food acquisition framework and best practices for qualitative research. Participants relied on a combination of wages, government assistance, and private assistance from community or family resources to maintain an adequate food supply. Strategies tended to focus more on maintaining food quality than food quantity. Restricted resources also limited food-related leisure activities, which many participants considered important to quality of life. Although many low-wage workers would like to use additional income to purchase higher quality foods or increase food-related leisure activities, they often perceive trade-offs that limit income-based adjustments to food-spending patterns. Future studies should be specifically designed to examine food choices in response to changes in income.